Depend upon it

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wholegrain

#532394 Wed, 25 Jun 08 03:24 PM

Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Ok, does he mean that something queer about this darkie depends upon the qualmish feeling about the darkie?

why is it depend instead of depends and why is there a comma before the word depend?

wholegrain

Joined on Thu, Jun 19 2008

Full Member (313)

Commas

Clive

#532400 Wed, 25 Jun 08 03:36 PM

Hi,
Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Ok, does he mean that something queer about this darkie depends upon the qualmish feeling about the darkie? He is saying 'There is something queer about . . .'

why is it depend instead of depends It's an imperative. Like 'Trust me!' or 'Believe what I am saying!'

and why is there a comma before the word depend? Because the phrase 'depend on it' is added to the main sentence parenthetically, as an afterthought.

'Qualmish' is not a standard word in modern English.

Please note that the word 'darkie' in regard to a black person is generally considered very offensive in modern English and the associated Western English cultures.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,480)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Regards, Commas

wholegrain

#532436 Wed, 25 Jun 08 04:33 PM

wholegrain

Clive

#532450 Wed, 25 Jun 08 05:10 PM

Hi,

Here's the full extract:

"Very likely, in that case," said a fourth, "we shall wait here till Christmas. Shouldn't wonder, did we not see that kind gentleman again. After seeking awhile in vain, he will conclude he has been made a fool of, and so not return to us for pure shame. Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Depend on what? On the fact the gentleman won't return? No. Depend on my word, depend on the truth of what I am telling you. ie Depend on the fact that something is queer about this darkie'.Let me reiterate that 'darkie' is a very offensive word today.

You may or may not be aware that this passage is written in a very old-fashioned style of English. I wouldn't recommend it as a learning tool for students of modern English.
Clive

Clive